Push type scanner apparatus

ABSTRACT

A push type scanner apparatus according to the present invention can transmit image data read by the push type scanner apparatus through a network to a desired personal computer only by operating the push type scanner apparatus without transmitting any operation command from the personal computer. In the push type scanner apparatus, for transmitting image data, a destination address is specified; a mail to be transmitted to the specified destination address is created; an appended file comprising the image data read by the scanner apparatus and appended to the mail is created; and the created mail and appended file are outputted to the network.

This application is based on application No. 2000-257774 filed in Japan,the content of which is incorporated hereinto by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a push type scanner apparatus capableof transmitting image data of an original, which the scanner apparatushas read, trough a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), theInternet or the like to a specified destination, and to an image datatransmitting and receiving system including the push type scannerapparatus at a terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

In offices and companies, a printer or a digital copying machine hasbeen connected to a LAN to be shared.

When such a connection is adopted, in order to print out a document orimage data created in a personal computer, the data are transmitted fromthe personal computer through the LAN to the printer or the copyingmachine, and the printer or the copying machine receives the data, thenprints the data on a paper sheet and outputs the same.

Further, sometimes a scanner apparatus (including a digital copyingmachine usable as a scanner) is connected to the LAN. Such a scanner canbe also shared similarly to the printer or the copying machine. Thescanner can operate on the basis of a command from the personalcomputer. On the basis of a command from the personal computer, thescanner reads image data and outputs the image data to a personalcomputer receiving the command.

When such a scanner apparatus is connected, the conventional systemoperating only by a command from a personal computer PC1 has adisadvantage that it is not easily usable. When a user uses the scannerapparatus, the user, after setting an original to be read on thescanner, has to operate the user's personal computer to give anoperation command to the scanner apparatus. Further, after the scannerapparatus reads the original, the user has to go to the scannerapparatus to take back the original. These operations are complicated.

Otherwise, in a structure in which the scanner apparatus preliminarilyreads the original and the data read by the scanner apparatus can bestored in a memory of the scanner apparatus, the user has to operate thepersonal computer so as to read out the image data stored in the scannerapparatus. These operations are also complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a push type scannerapparatus capable of transmitting image data, which the scannerapparatus itself has read, through a network.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(1) A push type scanner apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises an original scanner for reading an original set therein andoutputting image data of an image on the surface of the original, anetwork connecting interface for connecting the push type scannerapparatus to a network, an address specifying means for specifying anaddress designating a destination for transmitting the image datathrough the network, a mail creating means for creating a mail to betransmitted to the address specified by the address specifying means, anappended file creating means for creating an appended file comprisingthe image data of the original read by the original scanner to beappended to the mail created by the mail creating means, and atransmission executing means for outputting the created mail and theappended file from the network connecting interface to the network(claim 1).

According to the structure of this push type scanner apparatus, createdin association with an address specification executed by the addressspecifying means is a mail to be transmitted to the specified address.Further, when an original is read in association with the addressspecification, the read image data of the original are made into anappended file of the mail. And the created mail and the appended filethereof are transmitted to the specified address.

Therefore, image data read by the original scanner can be transmitted inan appended file form to a destination personal computer only byoperating the push type scanner apparatus without need of operating thedestination personal computer. That is, since image data are sent fromthe scanner apparatus side, this scanner apparatus is called “pushtype”.

As the result, the present invention can provide a scanner apparatushaving good operability and being easy to use.

As a way of address specification in this scanner apparatus, a waycomprising preliminarily storing a plurality of addresses in an addressmemory and selecting a desired one of them can be adopted, similarly toa way of mail address specification in a personal computer (claim 2).

Otherwise, a structure may be adopted in which each time an address canbe entered by enter keys (claim 3).

Further, if the association of the address specification and theoriginal reading is limited to a case the original reading is executedafter the address specification, the image data of the original can betransmitted to the specified address only by specifying the address towhich the image data are to be transmitted and executing the originalreading without need of any other associating operation (claim 4).

Further, the association of the address specification and the originalreading may be executed, for example, by operating a specific operationkey, by setting the scanner apparatus in a predetermined mode andoperating the same, or the like.

(2) A push type scanner apparatus according to the present invention mayfurther comprise an address book data obtaining means for obtainingaddress book data from any data processing apparatus connected to theabovementioned network, and the address specifying means may specifyinga destination address from the address book data obtained by the addressbook data obtaining means.

(claim 5).

According to this structure, since the push type scanner apparatus canobtain the address book data from the terminal data processingapparatus, an operator can select the destination address from theobtained address book data. The image data are transmitted to theselected destination address. Consequently, it is not necessarilyrequired to preliminarily register the destination address data.Therefore, it is not necessary to install a large capacity memory forregistering the destination address data. As a result, a low cost pushtype scanner apparatus can be realized.

Further, when the push type scanner apparatus is shared by a number ofusers, each user can transmit image data, for example, by obtainingaddress book data from his data processing apparatus connected to thenetwork and selecting a destination address from the address book data.Accordingly, since it is not necessary to install a memory forregistering a number of destination address data in the push typescanner apparatus and in addition, operation of selecting a destinationaddress can be efficiently executed, the operability of the push typescanner apparatus can be improved.

Further, even when a plurality of push type scanner apparatus areconnected to the network, it is not necessary to individually registerdestination address data in each of the push type scanner apparatus.Thereby, operations of inputting and renewing the destination addressdata by an administrator or the like can be reduced.

(3) A push type scanner apparatus according to the present invention mayfurther comprise an additional data inputting means for inputtingadditional data to be added to image data for database processing (claim6).

According to the present invention, it is possible to input additionaldata for database processing from an operation panel of the scannerapparatus, and the additional data and the image data inputted by theoriginal scanner are transmitted to a terminal data processingapparatus. Thereby, it is possible to surely correspond accurateadditional data to the image data by the operation on the scannerapparatus side without need of using forms or the like. As a result,database processing in the data processing apparatus can be facilitated,and for example, such database processing can be automated.

“Database processing” here means to process data stored in the database.For example, database processing includes retrieving image data on acertain retrieving condition, or displaying list of image data, etc.When the database in the data processing apparatus is of such a kindthat image data are classified by the hierarchy structure, theabovementioned additional data inputting means preferably includes ameans for selecting the registered classification data by the hierarchystructure (FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B).

Further, when the database in the data processing apparatus is of such akind that the registered image data is retrieved by using attribute datacomprising characters or symbols as a retrieval key, the abovementionedadditional data inputting means preferably includes a means (FIG. 9:keyboard) for creating attribute data comprising characters or symbolsby key entry.

(4) Preferably a push type scanner apparatus according to the presentinvention further includes a storing means for storing the destinationaddresses to which image data transmission is limited on the basis ofthe domain name of each of the said destination addresses, and atransmission limiting means for limiting image data transmission to adestination address by corresponding the domain name of the destinationaddress to the domain names stored in the storing means (claim 7).

According to this structure, it is decided on the basis of the domainname of a destination address whether to limit the image datatransmission thereto or not, and the image data are not transmitted tothe address to which the image data transmission is limited. Thereby, itis possible to prevent the mail server on the receiving side from beingexcessively loaded.

An image data input and transmission apparatus according to the presentinvention may include a storing means for storing the destinationaddresses to which the image data transmission is permitted on the basisof the domain name of each of the said destination addresses, and atransmission permitting means for permitting the image data transmissionto a destination address by corresponding the domain name of thedestination address to the domain names stored in the storing means(claim 8).

According to this structure, it is decided on the basis of the domainname of a destination address whether to permit the image datatransmission to the destination address or not, and the image data istransmitted only to the permitted addresses. Thereby, it is possible toprevent the mail server on the receiving side from being excessivelyloaded.

(5) Preferably a push type scanner apparatus according to the presentinvention further comprises a set expression storing means for storingset expressions used for creating a text writing of a mail (claim 9).

According to this structure, users of the push type scanner apparatusare provided with facilitation and convenience of the operation, and atthe same time they can effectively utilize the limited memory area.

(6) A push type scanner apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises an original scanner for reading an original set therein andoutputting image data of an image on the surface of the original, anetwork connecting interface for connecting the push type scannerapparatus to a network, a personal computer specifying means forspecifying a specific personal computer connected to the network, and atransmission executing means for transmitting, when the original is readby the original scanner in association with the personal computerspecification executed by the personal computer specifying means, theimage data of the original read by the original scanner to the specifiedpersonal computer (claim 10).

According to this structure, the image data can be directly to thepersonal computer, unlike the case of the abovementioned (1) in whichthe image data are transmitted in the form of an appended file appendedto a mail. The image data transmission can be also executed only by theoperation of the scanner apparatus without need of operation from thepersonal computer. The personal computer receives the image data andstores the same in a specific file form.

Therefore, since the image data can be transmitted to a specifiedpersonal computer only by operating the scanner apparatus, the scannerapparatus has an excellent operability.

Especially when a user wants to store image data of a plurality oforiginal sheets in a memory of his personal computer, he has only to setthe original sheets in the scanner apparatus according to the presentinvention, specify his own personal computer, and let the scannerapparatus read the originals. Thereby all the image data of theoriginals read by the scanner apparatus are transmitted to his personalcomputer and stored in the memory of his personal computer. Therefore,the scanner apparatus is easy to use.

(7) A push type scanner apparatus according to the present invention isprovided with both of the functions described in the abovementioned (1)and (6) (claim 11). It is more useful that the two functions of thescanner apparatus can be changed over to use.

(8) An image data transmitting and receiving system according to thepresent invention is an image data transmitting system including a pushtype scanner apparatus capable of transmitting image data through anetwork and a data processing apparatus connected to the network,

and the push type scanner apparatus comprises an original scanner forreading an original set therein and outputting image data of an image onthe surface of the original, a network connecting interface forconnecting the push type scanner apparatus to the network, an image datastoring folder specifying means for specifying an image data storingfolder of a data processing apparatus connected to the network by anaddress on the network, and a transmission executing means fortransmitting, when the original is read by the original scanner inassociation with the image data storing folder specification executed bythe image data storing folder specifying means, the image data of theoriginal read by the original scanner to the data processing apparatus,

the data processing apparatus being provided with an image datareceiving software on the operating system, in which the location of theimage data storing folder for storing image data is registered, theimage data receiving software being used for receiving the image datatransmitted from the scanner apparatus and storing the same in the imagedata receiving folder (claim 12).

According to this structure, it is possible to transmit the image dataread by the push type scanner apparatus from the push type scannerapparatus directly to a user's data processing apparatus using anaddress on the network.

And the user can store the image data in a folder unshared on thenetwork without aid of any server. Since the location of the folder canbe kept private, the image data can be prevented from being viewed byothers.

Further, the system may be such that the image data transmission to thedata processing apparatus having the image data storing folder forstoring the image data is permitted when the user enters a validpassword (claim 13). Thereby, it can be also prevented that, onoperation of the push type scanner apparatus by any other person thanthe user, unnecessary data are transmitted from the push type scannerapparatus and stored in the image data storing folder in the dataprocessing apparatus.

Further, in the image data transmitting and receiving system accordingto the present invention, the image data storing folder may be specifiedby using the name or the number, as well as the address on the network,of the image data storing folder (claim 14). It is very convenient forthe user to specifying the image data storing folder by using the nameor the number thereof.

In this case, the system may be also such that the image datatransmission to the data processing apparatus having the image datastoring folder for storing the image data is permitted when the userenters a valid password (claim 15).

Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described in thefollowing with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing the connection structure of a network includinga push type scanner apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram explaining the structure of the push typescanner apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing control operation of the control section.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a user data input screen.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a user password input screen.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a scanner function basic screen.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a destination selecting screen.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views for explaining additional data inputoperation.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an attribute data input screen.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a read setting screen.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a data form of additional data.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a mail destination limitationlist written in the address memory 16.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a mail destination permittinglist written in the address memory 16.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of transmitting operation in the case oflimiting mail transmission on the basis of the mail destinationlimitation list.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a text writing composed ofcomponent sentences is shown.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing an example of a folder settingscreen displayed on each personal computer by the image data receivingsoftware.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing an example of a Web Page(destination administrating data registering screen) provided by thedigital copying machine 1 when a predetermined user accesses the digitalcopying machine 1 using the Web Browser function of any one of thepersonal computers.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing an example of a destination folderselecting screen displayed in the operating section of the digitalcopying machine 1.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the procedure of operations of thedigital copying machine 1 and a personal computer for storing data readby the digital copying machine 1 as an image file in the folder in thepersonal computer specified by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a view showing a network connection structure including a pushtype scanner apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In FIG. 1, a digital copying machine 1 is used as a push type scannerapparatus. The digital copying machine 1 is connected to a LAN 20. TheLAN 20 is a network connecting, for example, a plurality of personalcomputers PC1, PC2 and a documentation server 3 provided in an office toone another. A SMTP server (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Server) 5 isconnected to the LAN 20.

The LAN 20 is further connected, through a gateway and a firewall 6 atneed, to the Internet 6. And external personal computers 4 a, 4 b areconnected through the Internet to the LAN 20.

In such a network connection structure, the digital copying machine 1can read an original and transmit (deliver) image data of the originalto a desired personal computer PC1 (arrow {circle around (1)}). Thisdata transmission (delivery) can be executed only by operating thedigital copying machine 1 without need of operating the personalcomputer PC1.

Further, the digital copying machine 1 can transmit image data of theoriginal read by the digital copying machine 1, for example, to thedocumentation server 3 installed in the office (arrow {circle around(2)}). This transmittal can be also executed only by operating thedigital copying machine 1 without operating the documentation server 3.

The image data stored in the documentation server 3 can be read andretrieved by the personal computers PC1, PC2 connected to the LAN 20(arrow {circle around (3)}).

Further, the digital copying machine 1 can read an original and transmitthe image data of the original in a mail form, to the SMTP server 5 onthe LAN 20 (arrow {circle around (4)}) This transmittal can be alsoexecuted only by operating the digital copying machine 1.

The SMTP server 5 receives the mail from the digital copying machine 1and delivers the mail body and an appended file attached to the mailbody to the external personal computers 4 a, 4 b the addresses of whichare specified by the mail (arrow {circle around (5)}).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the digital copyingmachine 1 of FIG. 1. The digital copying machine 1 includes a controlsection 11 constituted by a microcomputer and the like. The controlsection 11 controls an original reading section 12 and an image formingsection 9. Further, an image memory 13 for storing image data read bythe original reading section 12 is provided. The image memory 13 iscontrolled by the control section 11. Therefore, the image data read bythe original reading section 13 is stored in the image memory 13 and theimage data are fed from the image memory to the image forming section 9,so that a copy (form) on which a copy image of the original has beenformed can be obtained.

The control section 11 is connected through a network interface 19 tothe LAN 20. A plurality of personal computers PC1, PC2, . . . , PCn (nbeing an integer equal to or larger than 1) are connected to the LAN 20.As a result, the digital copying machine 1 can function as a networkscanner and network printer shared by the plurality of personalcomputers PC1, PC2, . . . , PCn. That is, the digital copying machine 1can transmit image data of an original read by the original readingsection 12 through a network interface 19 to an arbitrary personalcomputer PCi (i=1, 2, . . . , n) on the LAN (network scanner function).Further, the digital copying machine 1 can receive image data from anarbitrary personal computer PCi on the LAN and can form an imagecorresponding to the image data on a form by the operation of the imageforming section 9 (network printer function).

Further, the digital copying machine 1 includes an operating section 14so that a user can make various kinds of operations. The user can enteror select an address, specify a personal computer and the like. Further,the digital copying machine 1 includes a display section 15 fordisplaying operation data and other contents, which is constituted by aliquid crystal display panel or the like. The display section 15 iscontrolled by the control section 11. The operating section 14 includes,in addition to enter keys such as ten keys, a touch panel disposed onthe display surface of the display section 15.

Further, connected to the control section 11 is an address memory 16storing addresses which are destination data shared by a plurality ofusers. A user data memory 17 is also connected to the control section11. In the user data memory 17, user data of the personal computersPC1˜PCn connected to the LAN 20 and the corresponding IP addresses ofthe personal computers PC1˜PCn are registered in correspondence witheach other. Further, connected to the control section 11 is a generalmemory 18 for temporarily storing address data and the like.

Furthermore, a network interface 19 is connected to the control section11. The digital copying machine 1 is connected through the networkinterface 19 to the LAN 20.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the digitalcopying machine 1 used as a push type scanner. When an operator selectsthe scanner function by operating the operating section 14 and selects atransmitting form of image data (whether transmitting the image data ina form of an electronic mail or transmitting the image data directly)(step S1), a user data input screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on thedisplay 15 (step S2).

On the user data input screen, a plurality of user selecting buttonsshowing user numbers and user names are arranged and displayed. A touchpanel is disposed on the surface of the display 15 as abovementioned,and when the operator selects and pushes any user selecting button, userdata of the pushed user selecting button are inputted (step S2). Insteadof such operation, user data can be also inputted by entering a usernumber from the ten key provided on the operating section 14. If theuser selecting button corresponding to the user name of the operator isnot displayed on the user data input screen, the operator can find outthe user selecting button corresponding to his user name by operating ascroll button.

By thus inputting the user data, a user password input screen shown inFIG. 5 is displayed on the display 15. Each user can set a password atneed. When a user has set a password, the operator enters thepredetermined password by ten key entry or the like and operates bypushing set buttons, the user data entry becomes effective.

When the user data entry becomes effective, a scanner function basicscreen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 15. By makingpredetermined operations on the scanner function basic screen, adestination address for transmitting the image data can be set (stepS3).

The scanner function basic screen includes an original reading conditionsetting section and a destination setting section as shown in FIG. 6. Inthe destination setting section, a “Store in User's PC” button and a“Destination Book” button are provided. The “Store in User's PC” buttonis operated when image data are sent to a user's personal computercorresponding to the user data entered at step S2 in FIG. 3.

When the “Store in User's PC” button is operated, the control section 11reads out, from the user data memory 17, an IP address of the personalcomputer corresponding to the user concerned, and sets the IP address asthe destination for transmitting the image data.

When the “Destination Book” button is operated (YES at step S13), thedestination selecting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display15. On this destination selecting screen, a “personal destination book”display and a “common destination book” display can be changed over byoperating a tab.

The “common destination book” is used for selecting destinationsregistered in the address memory 16 of the digital copying machine 1. Onthe other hand, the “personal destination book” is a destination book(address book data) preliminarily set in a personal computercorresponding to the user data entered at step S2 in FIG. 3.

When the “personal destination book” tub is operated, an address (IPaddress) of a personal computer corresponding to the user data enteredat step S2 in FIG. 3 is read out of the user data memory 17. Withrespect to this address, the control section 11 transmits an addressbook data requesting signal through the network interface 19 to thenetwork. On receiving the address book data requesting signal, anaddress book software of the corresponding personal computer outputsaddress book data set in the said personal computer. The address bookdata are obtained by the control section 11 of the digital copyingmachine 1 through the network interface 19, and stored in the generalmemory 18.The address book data stored in the general memory 18 aredisplayed on the display 15 as destination candidates in the personaldestination book.

The operator selects an intended destination from the destinationcandidates in the personal destination book displayed on the display 15,and sets the same as the destination for transmitting the image data.One or more destinations can be selected from the personal destinationbook and a destination candidate selection screen (FIG. 7) of the commondestination book. By pushing a “destination addition” button after thusselecting the destination, the destination for transmitting the imagedata is defined.

When the “common destination book” tab is operated, the control section11 reads out the destination book from the address memory 16 of thedigital copying machine 1 and displays the same on the display 15. Byselecting one or more destinations from the displayed destinationcandidates and operating the “destination addition” button, thedestination for transmitting the image data can be set.

In the digital copying machine 1, by obtaining address book data fromany of the personal computers PC1˜PCn connected to the LAN 20, thedestination for transmitting the image data can be set using the addressbook data as abovementioned. Accordingly, it is not necessary to store anumber of destination data in the address memory 16 of the digitalcopying machine 1, and therefore the capacity of the address memory 16need not be so large. As the result, the cost of the digital copyingmachine 1 can be lowered.

Further, since each user can obtain, in the digital copying machine 1,the address book data which he has made for his own use on his personalcomputer and select a destination, he can execute the destinationsetting operation easier than in the case in which destinations of anumber of users are all registered in the address memory 16. Further,even if a plurality of network scanner equipments are connected to theLAN, the administrator need not register or renew destination datarelative to all of the network scanner equipments.

In the abovementioned embodiment, the address memory 16 for registeringaddress data to be displayed on the common address book is provided inthe digital copying machine 1. However, the address memory 16 need notbe provided in the digital copying machine 1, but address book data tobe displayed on the common address book may be obtained from anycomputer (for example, the documentation server 3 or a personal computerof the administrator).

Now, operation of entering additional data to be added to the image datawill be described in the following.

By operating the display 15 and the operating section 14, the digitalcopying machine 1 operates so as to accept entry of classification dataand attribute data as the additional data to be added to the image data.Here, when data classified by hierarchical structure are stored, theclassification data include the classification name of each hierarchicalstructure. Further, when attribute data can be retrieved by keywordsmade of letters or symbols or attributes, the attribute data includethese keywords or attributes.

Classification data or attribute data capable of being input in thedigital copying machine 1 can be edited from the personal computersPC1˜PCn using an administrating/editing tool software.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views for explaining the additional data inputoperation in the digital copying machine 1. In this case, the controlsection 11 displays a screen shown in FIG. 8A on the display 15. A touchpanel is provided on the surface of the display 15. By pushing the touchpanel at positions of operation buttons or the like displayed on thedisplay 15, predetermined input operation can be executed.

In FIG. 8A, a classification selecting screen is shown. In thisclassification selecting screen, a category selecting screen forselecting “section” as a first category, and on the right side thereof,a plurality of the first category “section” candidates re displayed in aform of a list. An up-scroll button and a down-scroll button areprovided below the section candidate list, and the operator can scrollsthe section candidate list by operating the scroll buttons. By selectingan intended candidate from the section candidate list and pushing thesame, the display of the candidate is reversed and the characters of theselected candidate are entered.

When the first category “section” is entered in such a manner, theoperator operates a “next” button, and transfers the screen to one forselecting the next category “work” (see FIG. 8B). In order to change abefore-selected category, the operator has only to operate “return”button. By executing similar operations, the operator can select andinput a plurality of categories in order.

After entering the classification data, the control section 11 controlsthe display 15 so that an attribute data input screen is displayed onthe display 15.

FIG. 9 shows the attribute data input screen. In the example of FIG. 9,the document name, the implementor, the keywords 1˜5, the document dateand the achieve time limit can be inputted as the attribute data.

By touching each column with the finger to reverse the same, an inputscreen appears. This input screen includes a pull-down list box and akeyboard. In the pull-down list box, data inputted in the past areshown, and by selecting the relevant ones, the operator can input theattribute data. In the keyboard input section, for example, the alphabetbuttons and the like are displayed, so that the operator can executeJapanese character input through Roman character input. This inputscreen further includes a “return” button for canceling inputted dataand an “input end” button for defining inputted data.

By operating “defined” button, the attribute data are set and thedisplay is changed over to a read setting screen shown in FIG. 10.

The read setting screen shown in FIG. 10 includes a scanning conditionsetting section on the right side and an additional data display sectionon the left side. Provided in the additional data display section are aclassification data tab and an attribute data tab for confirmingclassification data and attribute data respectively. In order to changethese data, the operator operates a “change” button to return to theclassification selecting screen or the attribute data input screen shownin FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B or FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view showing data forms of the additional data. Theadditional data include each field of the classification data Cat.1˜4and the attribute data Doc. 1˜9. Stored in the fields are theclassification data and the attribute data inputted on theclassification selecting screen and the attribute data input screenrespectively.

By reading an original after inputting the classification data and theattribute data using the network scanner function of the digital copyingmachine 1 as abovementioned, the image data can be automaticallyregistered in the user's personal computer. In this case, since apredetermined form sheet need not be used, forms are not wasted.Further, since OCR operation and the like are not necessary, loads ofthe digital copying machine 1 and the personal computer can be reducedand a variety of troubles caused by erroneous recognition occurring inOCR operation can be avoided. Furthermore, since the image data and theadditional data can be corresponded to each other in the digital copyingmachine 1 in this case, no error occurs in such correspondence, unlike acase of corresponding the image data to the additional data on apersonal computer.

Thus, the operator can easily register the image data and the additionaldata by only operating the digital copying machine 1.

Among the abovementioned additional data, the classification data can beused for retrieving data utilizing hierarchical structure, and theattribute data can be used for retrieving any data on a basis of akeyword made of characters or symbols or the like.

Now, how to limit mail destinations will be described in the following.For this purpose, a mail destination limiting list or a mail destinationpermitting list is used.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a mail destination limiting list written inthe address memory 16. This list limits destinations for transmittingthe image data on the basis of the domain of each mail destinationaddress. This writing is executed for each address. However, by using awild card, all the addresses including, for example, “ne. jp” such as “**. ne. jp” can be written in a lump in the destination limiting list.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a mail destination permitting list. Thismail destination permitting list permits to transmit a mail to thedestinations on the basis of the domain of each mail destinationaddress. However, addresses can be written in a lump in the list using awild card, similarly as abovementioned.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of transmitting operation executed by thecontrol section 11 in the case of limiting mail transmission on thebasis of the mail destination limiting list.

First, original reading conditions are inputted in the original readingcondition setting section shown in FIG. 6 (step T1). The originalreading conditions include, for example, the resolution (600, 400, 300,200 dpi), the original mode (“photograph mode”, “text mode”, “colormode” or the like), the original size (A3, A4 or the like).

A user sets an original, and after completing the original setting, theuser pushes a start key (step T2).

The control section 11 judges whether the destination limitation settinghas been executed or not (step T3). The destination limitation settingis to preliminarily set whether to limit the image data transmission onthe basis of the domain name of the destination address or not, and theadministrator executes the destination limitation setting at the time ofinitialization of the image data inputting, transmitting and receivingapparatus or the like.

The control section 11 checks the number of the inputted destinationaddresses, and regards the number as N (step T4).

To begin with, it is checked whether the domain name of the firstdestination address is limited or not on the basis of the abovementionedmail destination limiting list (step T6).

When the domain name is limited, the program proceeds to step T7. And atstep T7, it is displayed through the operating section 14 to the userwhether to transmit the data by changing the destination address or not.The user is informed by the display that the data cannot be transmittedto the address concerned, and the user can take a measure of, forexample, changing the address. This measure is effective when thedestination concerned has more than two addresses.

Then, it is checked whether the domain names of the second and downwarddestination addresses are limited or not on the basis of theabovementioned mail destination limiting list (step T7). When alladdresses are checked (YES at step T8), the program proceeds to theoriginal reading procedure (FIG. 3; step S4).

That is, by setting the original on the original reading section 12 andoperating the start button provided in the control section 11, the imageon the surface of the original is read (step S4). Thereby, the originalreading section 12 produces image data. The produced image data arestored in the image memory 13.

The following procedure is branched in accordance with the transmissionform selected at step S1. That is, when direct transmission of the imagedata is selected (NO at step S5), the control section 11 reads out theimage data from the image memory, and transmits the image data throughthe network interface to an address or addresses set at the destinationsetting step (step S3) as the destination or destinations (step S6).

On the other hand, when an electronic mail (E-mail) is selected as thetransmission form (YES at step S5), the E-mail body and an appended fileto be attached to the E-mail body are formed. The E-mail body may be,for example, a set expression such as “Dispensing with thepreliminaries. I send you appended images. Yours sincerely.” or anarbitrary expression. The appended file is a file of the image data readby the original reading section 12 and stored in the image memory 13.The appended file may be a data file in the form of the image data asthey are, or a data file obtained by compressing the image data in apredetermined form.

The E-mail body and the appended file are transmitted to the E-mailaddress or addresses set at the destination setting step (step S3) (stepS8).

By storing the transmission date, the sender, destination, transmittedimage data size as a log, the administrator can be informed what imagedata has been transmitted to the destination.

Now, the storing structure of set expressions for E-mail will bedescribed in the following.

Such a set expression is constituted by a plurality of componentsentences. They are, for example, “I owe you much for your kindness.” “Iam ( ) of * * Inc.” “I send you appended data. Please receive the same.”“I trust it to your discretion.” “* * Inc.” and “E-mail:”.

A user can extract some component sentences from the text data stored inthe memory, and compose the same. Thereby, the user can create a textwriting having his intended content and send the same.

With this structure, users of the push type scanner apparatus areprovided with facilitation and convenience of the operation, and at thesame time they can effectively utilize the limited memory area.

In FIG. 15, an example of a text writing composed of the said componentsentences is shown.

Now, description is given to a function of setting a folder (hereinafterreferred to as image data storing file) for storing image data read bythe digital copying machine 1 as an image file, and a function ofreceiving image data transmitted from the digital copying machine 1 andstoring the image data as an image file in a predetermined image datastoring folder.

These functions are realized by a software (application on the OS) forreceiving image data installed in each of the personal computersPC1˜PCn.

The digital copying machine 1 has a function of providing a Web Page forregistering destination administrating data therein when a user accessesusing Web Browser from any of the personal computers PC1˜PCn. Further,the digital copying machine 1 has a function of transmitting image datawhich the digital copying machine 1 has read to any of the personalcomputers PC1˜PCn having a destination file specified by the user on thebasis of the user's destination folder selecting operation. Thesefunctions are realized by image data transmission control software ofthe digital copying machine 1.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a folder setting screen displayed on each ofthe personal computers PC1˜PCn by the image data receiving software.

The user of each of the personal computers PC1˜PCn registers, on thefolder setting screen, the image data storing folder for storing imagedata read by the digital copying machine 1 as an image file. In thisexample, a plurality of image data storing folders can be registered ineach of the personal computers PC1˜PCn, and the folder number (No. 1 orthe like), the folder's location and a password are registered for eachimage data storing folder. The password need not necessarily registered.

The content (image data storing folder setting data) registered on thefolder setting screen is stored in the personal computer concerned. Theimage data storing folder setting data can be changed and deleted on thefolder setting screen.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a Web Page (destination administrating dataregistering screen) provided by the digital copying machine 1 when apredetermined user accesses the digital copying machine 1 using the WebBrowser function of one of the personal computers PC1˜PCn.

The user registers each image data storing folder registered in all ofthe personal computers PC1˜PCn on this destination administrating dataregistering screen.

In other words, for each image data storing folder, the folder name(Folder 1 or the like), the network address of the personal computer inwhich the image data storing folder is formed, and the folder number(No. 1 or the like) of the image data storing folder are registered.

The content (destination administrating data) registered on thedestination administrating data registering screen is stored in thedigital copying machine 1.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a destination folder selecting screendisplayed in the operating section of the digital copying machine 1. Onthe destination folder selecting screen, a list of folder names (Folder1 and the like) is displayed.

FIG. 19 shows the procedure of operations of the digital copying machine1 and a personal computer for storing data read by the digital copyingmachine 1 as an image file in a predetermined folder in the personalcomputer specified by a user.

First, operation of the digital copying machine 1 will be described.

The digital copying machine enters a scan mode by user operation (stepU1). Further, the digital copying machine 1 enters a PC transmissionmode in the scan mode by user operation (step U2).

When the digital copying machine 1 enters the PC transmission mode, thedestination folder selecting screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed,and the user selects a folder name (hereinafter referred to asdestination folder name) corresponding to an image data storing folderwhich is the destination for transmitting the image data (step U3).

When the destination folder name is selected, the network address andthe folder number of the destination personal computer are obtained onthe basis of the destination administrating data (see FIG. 17) (stepU4). Then, a scanner signal and the folder number are sent to thedestination personal computer.

When the destination personal computer receives the scanner signal andthe folder number, the destination personal computer sends a confirmingsignal to the digital copying machine 1.

Depending upon whether the confirming signal is sent or not, it isjudged whether an image data receiving application software in thedestination personal computer properly operates or not (step U5).

When the image data receiving application software is judged to properlyoperate, it is judged by querying to the destination personal computerwhether a password is set in the destination folder (step U6). When anypassword is not set in the destination folder, the program proceeds tostep U9.

When a password is set in the destination folder, a password inputscreen is displayed so that the user can input the password set in thesaid destination folder. When the user inputted the password (step U7),the inputted password is sent to the destination personal computer toquery it to the personal computer whether the password inputted by theuser coincides with the password set in the destination folder.

Depending upon the result of the query, the digital copying machine 1judges whether the password inputted by the user coincides with thepassword set in the destination folder (step U8).

When the two passwords do not coincide with each other, the programreturns to step U7. And when they coincide with each other, the programproceeds to step U9.

At step U9, on the basis of user operation, the program enters anoriginal read mode to start image data reading and at the same timestart transmitting the read image data to the destination personalcomputer (steps U10, 11).

When all the image data reading and transmission are completed in such amanner (YES at step 12), this time operation ends.

Now, operation of the personal computer PC1 will be described in thefollowing.

The personal computer always monitors signals sent from the digitalcopying machine 1 (step U21). when receiving the scanner signal and thefolder number sent from the digital copying machine 1 at step U4 (YES atstep U21), the personal computer sends a receipt signal to the digitalcopying machine 1 and at the same time confirms the incoming foldernumber (step U23).

Then, on the basis of the folder number and the image data store foldersetting data (see FIG. 16), the personal computer PC1 defines thedestination image data store folder (step U24) and at the same timejudges whether a password is set in the destination image data storefolder or not (step U25). The personal computer sends the result of thejudgment to the digital copying machine 1 in response to the query fromthe digital copying machine 1 whether a password is set or not at stepU6. When any password is not set, the program proceeds to step U28.

When a password is set in the image data store folder, the personalcomputer obtains the password inputted by the user from the digitalcopying machine 1 (step U26), then judges whether the obtained passwordcoincides with the passwords set in the image data store folder (stepU27), and sends the result of the judgment to the digital copyingmachine 1.

When the two passwords coincide with each other, the program proceeds tostep U28. At step u28, the personal computer starts capturing the imagedata sent from the digital copying machine 1. And the personal computerstarts storing the captured image data in the destination store folder(step U29).

When the operation of capturing all the image data and storing the samein the destination store folder are completed in this way (YES at stepU30), this time operation ends.

In the abovementioned embodiment, without accessing directly the folderin the personal computer from the digital copying machine 1, image dataare transmitted to the image data receiving software in the personalcomputer and the image data receiving software in the personal computerstores the image data in the destination store folder. Accordingly,image data read by the digital copying machine 1 can be stored in aprivate folder other than folders which an operating system on thepersonal computers publishes on the network as shared folders.Therefore, the image data stored by a user in his personal computer canbe protected from the risk of being viewed by others.

Further, a user can utilize image data stored directly in a personalcomputer, applications uncorresponding to the network can directlyutilize the image data.

Further, by setting a password in an image data storing folder asabovementioned, it can be prevented that unnecessary data sent from thedigital copying machine 1 are stored in an image data store holder inthe personal computer through operation of the digital copying machine 1by others than the user.

Furthermore, since the location of the image data store folder can bechanged only by changing the image data store folder setting data on thepersonal computer side, operation of changing the location of the imagedata store folder is very simple.

A color digital copying machine 1 is used as a scanner apparatus in theabovementioned embodiment, but a scanner apparatus itself having nocopying function can be used, and a facsimile apparatus capable ofhigh-speed reading or the like can be also used, of course.

Further, since the digital copying machine 1 used in this network systemhas a copying function in addition to the abovementioned originalreading function, naturally it can be used as a copying machine.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A push type scanner apparatus capable oftransmitting image data through a network comprising: an originalreading section for reading image data of an original set in the pushtype scanner apparatus; an image memory for storing the image data readby the original reading section; an operating section for selecting ane-mail address designating a destination for transmitting the image datathrough the network; a memory storing a destination permitting listincluding a domain name to permit transmission of the image data toe-mail addresses having the domain name; and a control section forcreating an appendable file from the image data, the control sectionappending the appendable file to an e-mail to be transmitted to thee-mail address selected by the operating section, wherein the controlsection compares a domain name of the destination e-mail address withdomain names stored in the destination permitting list, and permitstransmission of the e-mail if the domain name of the destination addresscoincides with a domain name written in the destination permitting list.17. A push type scanner apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein thedestination permitting list is capable of writing a domain name thatincludes a wild card.
 18. A push type scanner apparatus as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the control section causes the operating section toindicate that the image data cannot be transmitted to the destinationaddress, when the domain name of the destination address does notcoincide with a domain name in the destination permitting list.
 19. Apush type scanner apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the controlsection further causes the operating section to indicate that thedestination address can be changed.
 20. A push type scanner apparatus asclaimed in claim 16, further comprising: a network connecting interfacefor connecting the push type scanner apparatus to the network. whereinthe control section outputs the e-mail and the appendable file throughthe network connecting interface to the network.
 21. A push type scannerapparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the operating section entersan address by enter keys.
 22. A push type scanner apparatus as claimedin claim 16, wherein the operating section selects a desired addressfrom a plurality of addresses preliminarily stored in an address memory.23. A push type scanner apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein thecontrol section creates the appendable file comprising the image data ofthe original read by the original reading section, after the operatingsection selects the address.